Employees donate to homeless shelter

The Shepherd’s House got a little monetary help from from the employees at the Surry-Yadkin Electric Membership Corporation recently.

Employees there sold cookbooks in honor of a fellow employee who lost his life at a young age, according to Mary Boyles, the homeless shelter’s executive director.

When he died at the age of 43 in May of 2016, Daniel Leftwich’s fellow employees were devastated by the loss of the long-time employee and sought to honor his memory by raising money for a good cause, according to Adam Martin, director of public relations for Surry Yadkin EMC.

“His passing was very sudden, leaving his fellow co-workers in shock. Employees reached out to his family for ideas for how they could honor his memory. During this time, the employees and family had many conversations and shared their memories of just who they thought Daniel was as a person,” wrote Martin.

“Daniel was well known for his amazing culinary skills and for the love and appreciation he showed for his family. Through those conversations, they decided they would honor him with a financial gift to the Shepherd’s House from the proceeds of selling their recipes.”

Surry-Yadkin EMC employees filled cookbooks with their own recipes, explained Martin. After being informed that the proceeds would go toward the Shepherd’s House, the employees were challenged to see who could sell the most books.

Boyles said her organization received a check for the $2,652 those employees raised.

“When someone close to you dies, it often makes you feel helpless and small,” added Martin. “You can’t change what happened to them, but you can take action to help the world be better in their honor.”

Boyles said she is thankful for the donation, which is one of many the Shepherd’s House has received from the supportive community that surrounds the shelter.

“While I have never met Daniel, he must have been a passionate person in giving back to those less fortunate for his family to choose us for this wonderful gift,” wrote Boyles.

“I am also thankful for all that Surry-Yadkin EMC has done for the Shepherd’s House in the past, and continues, to do for us and many other non-profit organizations in our community.”